If the person you’re dealing with is reasonable, it is better to seek permission. If they aren’t, it’s better to present them with a solved problem as a fait accompli and seek forgiveness.
Geek Etiquette
Occasional Archived reflections on etiquette, manners, asshattery, and the ridiculously complicated interfaces between members of the human species, by Kirrily "Skud" Robert.
This site is no longer actively maintained; what you are looking at is a static archive of posts from 2005-2008.
Isn’t the cardinal premise of ettiquette that it depends?
If the person you’re dealing with is reasonable, it is better to seek permission. If they aren’t, it’s better to present them with a solved problem as a fait accompli and seek forgiveness.